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A handful of states could set up ACA Exchanges after King v. Burwell

It’s been difficult not to notice that a lot of states are having terrible experiences with their ObamaCare exchanges. In fact, a recent Washington Post article reports that “Nearly half of the 17 insurance marketplaces set up by the states and the District under President Obama’s health law are struggling financially.”

In a previous post, we mentioned that this fact should hinder attempts from state officials to establish a state exchange in the event that King v. Burwell eliminates the federal subsidies.

Regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision, nothing will change for the 16 states already running their own exchange. Also, Arizona recently passed legislation prohibiting the establishment of an exchange, so that 17 states will not be directly affected by King.

Thus, 33 states would lose federal subsidies if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs. At least 16 of these states appear to be led by officials who will make a strong push to establish an exchange in order to retain the subsidies.

If you happen to live in one of these states, it may be in your interest to contact state officials and tell them not to establish an ObamaCare exchange, even if King strikes down the federal subsidies.

After all, this is a problem the federal government created. It would be irresponsible to call on state governments to clean up a mess they didn't create. If state leaders end up caving into the pressure to establish an exchange, then ObamaCare repeal will become an even more arduous mission than it already is.

Did you also figure out that with the merger of Cigna and Athem (bluecross and blue shield) there are less insurance companies to have in an exchange thus driving up the price of the medical care for that exchange. There was a study done that most exchanges have only one provider offering insurance in that state thus "market drivers" do not take place in that state. It will be more expensive to get insurance in one state verses another. This could effect where to live in this country and other things like Jobs. I so hope that the individual mandate is struck down. The Government has no right to rope and tie the Public into ONE insurance company which is happening today!

Media Matters Fact Checked us on our Obamacare Translator: Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) on June 19. In our original CER article, we argued that government intervention to compare health care methods was not necessary--private companies already do it. Here’s their entire post and our response to it:

President Obama has stepped up his rhetoric against the health care system, but fiscal deficiencies in his plan for a government take over have become increasingly apparent in recent weeks. Now, some on Capitol Hill are toying with the idea of taxing employee health benefits to subsidize the cost of government-provided care. But, as Americans learned during the collapse of GM, many union labor agreements provide extremely generous benefit packages to workers who are unlikely to support any proposal that might put their compensation at risk.

Inspired by the recent nationwide Tax Day “Tea Party” protest rallies, local Tampa Bay chapters of national grassroots organizations have joined forces to protest proposals for expanded government control of American health care. The Tea Party Patriots, the 9/12 Project, ResistNet, FreedomWorks.org, and others will assemble outside congressional offices on July 2nd to tell their U.S. Representatives and Senators that the proposed hostile government takeover of America’s health care system is unacceptable. Americans will not stand by and watch their taxes go up to fund a socialized medicine scheme that will crowd out private insurance and effectively lead to health care rationing.The protesters seek to preserve the doctor-patient relationship, expand consumer choice and financial empowerment of patients, and promote market-based solutions in order to make high-quality, affordable healthcare accessible to all Americans. Florida FreedomWorks Field Coordinator Tom Gaitens commented:“July 2nd is the actual anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and in Florida we plan to celebrate that day at every Representative and Senator’s district offices rallying for freedom and against the latest big-government scheme to come out of Washington: government-run health care. A government takeover of America’s health care system will lead to rationing, reduced care and less individual control over one’s own health. You do not fix health care for the 15% by rationing it for the 85%.”Healthcare Freedom Rallies are planned for July 2, 2009 at four locations in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties: Senator Bill Nelson's Office801 N. Florida Ave.Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse, 4th floorTampa, FL 33602Hours: 4:00-7:00pmCongressman Gus Bilirakis’ OfficePalm Harbor Professional Center35111 US HWY 19 North, Suite30Palm Harbor, FL 34684Hours: 3:00 - 6:00pm Congresswoman Kathy Castor’s Office4144 N. Armenia Ave., Suite300Tampa, FL 33609Hours: 3:00 – 6:00pmCongressman C.W. “Bill” Young’s Office9199 113th St. N.Seminole, FL 33772 (At Seminole City Hall, across from St. Pete College Seminole Campus)Hours: 4:00 - 6:00 pmRallies are free and open to the public. Families are welcome. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their own homemade signs. For more information, updates, and locations of additional rallies in Florida, visit: www.nogovernmenthealthcare.com.

Although this note may seem similar in content and intent to my note yesterday about Barack Obama’s outrageous news conference, Robert Reich’s Wednesday WSJ plea for government-run health care deserves an equal smack-down. Reich’s entire article is filled with misleading statements – not quite lies, but with the same effect. Let’s go through his opinion in some detail:

Dr. Evil once held the world hostage for a staggering one hundred billion dollars. This time Dr. Evil’s demands have been eclipsed by the Obama Administration (instead of Austin Powers), with cohorts Sen. Kennedy (D-MA) and Sen. Baucus (D-MT) demanding $1.6 trillion for a new diabolical plot: National Health Care. As the costs of health care reform begin to take shape, some of us are wondering how much $1.6 trillion really is. Putting things into perspective, $1.6 trillion would:

As public and political opposition mounts, FreedomWorks has compiled a list of relevant articles and videos in the fight against government-run healthcare. Fight on and enjoy! Sen. Coburn (R, OK), a former doctor himself, hits it out of the park in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO_QGwKx_rE h/t Club For Growth

Settled science rarely is. Except to those with a vested policy interest in the debate. True to form, a recent diatribe by Michael F. Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest acknowledges none of the widely available data that conflict with his passionate crusade against table salt. However, to a debate that has endured for decades, Jacobson does bring a modern twist: